The Michigan Daily/New Student Edition - Thursday, September 7, 1989 -Page 9 SLS is the U-M's own Perry Mason by Scott Ladhe Daily Staff Writer Legal problems as a first-year student? Well, this may be the least of your worries when entering college, but landlord/tenant, contractual, or even criminal problems may arise as you arrive on campus not as a high school graduate, but a legally responsible adult. Should you attempt to sign a lease for one of Ann Arbor's New York- priced apartments without any experience, you may be taken for "the one that was born yesterday." The fine automobile that you have been eyeing could hand you a world of troubles when you John Hancock those legally- binding papers. Or heaven forbid-you may be toting alcohol back to your dorm one of your first nights in town, or drinking in the Diag. Ann Arbor, much .like your hometown, has very sobering individuals donning police uniforms, who are ready to slap you with a $25-$100 minor-in-possession fine and a possible court appearance. In any case, don't panic. And certainly don't use the Union's main eleva- tor to reach the third-floor Student Legal Services, you'll never get there. Take a deep breath, climb to the second floor of the Union and continue up the back, south staircase. There you will find a full hallway of offices, housing four full-time attorneys and a paralegal. They are ready to help you with most of your legal problems, provided you're not trying to sue the University (they recommend hiring private counsel for that). "A lot of students don't know we exist. They should know we can do what private counsel can do, but for free," said SLS Director John Forczak. SLS provides free legal advice and representation on matters ranging from tenant problems to drunk driving to divorce. Although the non-profit office spends about 70% of its resources assist- ing students with landlord/tenant disputes, some of which are di-rected to the Ann Arbor Tenant's Union, the SLS primarily handles: -contractual and consumer matters -criminal legal matters -domestic and family law matters -trusts, wills and estate problems -administrative agency matters. Forczak stresses the importance of preventative law in successfully re- solving disputes. "If they (the students) can come in early, they can check for code viola- tions or lease violations, before signing," said Forczak. Students can also get advice on the law before they make a large purchase or get into trouble. "If a student is buying something, we recommend they get any promises in writing," said Forczak, because often salespeople will deny spoken promises, especially with non-native English speakers having difficulty with the language. Throughout the year, SLS allows several students, both undergraduate and graduate, to volunteer time and gain experience with the courts, filings and drafts. SLS cannot represent students in cases against the University, cases in- volving student against student, or cases involving large amounts of money, but they can give advice in most cases, or refer you to the proper mediation service. rA, 1112 South University 663-5533 Visa, Master Card, MESSA, PCS, Blue Cross, Travelers, MediMet, PAID, M-Care HMO FILE PHOTO If you are having trouble with Ann Arbor's finest, than perhaps Student Legal Services can lend you a hand. Tuition keeps rising and students keep searching for money .. by Diane Cook Daily Staff Writer It was the kind of night that goes down as "a valuable lesson." Sure, I received the forms in plenty of time to fill them out, but I never had time. So, there I was, trapped in my cramped room with my income taxes and financial aid materials surrounding me. Just when it looked like I was going to drown in the sea of paper, there was a knock at the door. My father handed me his end of the deal- the tax forms. There was light at the end of the tunnel. I charged back into the room, armed with a felt-tip pen, shielded by W-2's. I finished at 11:30 and dropped everything off by the midnight-postmark deadline. But the night was still young, as far as schoolwork was con- cerned. When I came home I had to complete two term papers and study for a brutal chemistry exam. That was just another happy April evening. Nothing new to me (or the other hundred of stu- dents herded single-file ahead of me at the Financial Aid Office that afternoon.) We all raced to the "final day for equal considera- tion" for financial awards. We tossed and turned at night, pray- ing for a University grant or State of Michigan Competitive Scholarship. We took delight in the fat envelope from the FAO short time, considering the amount of materials the office handled, and was even greeted with a smile at the office. The FAO acts as a liason be- tween students and funds for school expenses through scholar- ships, grants, loans and work- study programs. "The good news, we feel, is that students on the average do not need to borrow more to attend the University," said FAO Di- rector Harvey Grotrian. "We are able to hold down the cases of debt because of the institution's grant assistance and scholarship assistance as well as gifts of as- sistance from state and federal governments," The FAO's role as a presenter of financial aid to qualified stu- dents is a success, according to Grotrian "We are meeting 100% of need of nearly all in-state applicants. While students are expected to work and borrow more than five or ten years ago, we feel that the levels of student help within the awards are tolerable," said Grotrian. Continuing students are re- quired to fill out the Financial Aid Form; entering students have the option of filling out the FAF or the Family Financial State- ment. Both are required to include the University's information sheet and copies of their own and parents' income tax statements. I